My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Zhang Shigui was ordered to the Duke of Yi's residence to execute Li Chenggan. Partly, he was acting on imperial orders, and partly because Li Chenggan possessed evidence of his privately-run army in Hedong.

Therefore, he planned to get rid of Li Chenggan as soon as possible.

He led his two thousand men and joined forces with Chang He's men to launch a fierce attack on the Duke of Yi's mansion.

Cheng Yaojin and his son Cheng Tieniu desperately protected Li Chenggan.

Old Cheng was also hit in the leg by an arrow, and just when he was in critical condition, Xue Rengui arrived in time.

They slaughtered Zhang Shigui's troops, leaving them in complete disarray.

Zhang Shigui was furious and ordered his four sons to hold back, while he charged forward with his spear to fight Xue Rengui.

Zhang Shigui was a renowned general of the Tang Dynasty, who had won countless battles. He was a veteran of many battles, experienced and capable of defeating ten thousand men.

Zhang Shigui and Xue Rengui then engaged in a fierce battle in front of the Duke of Yi's mansion.

Both men wielded heavy weapons. Xue Rengui's halberd weighed 300 jin (approximately 150 catties), and most people couldn't even lift it, let alone wield it.

When it's in motion, it weighs more than a thousand pounds.

The spear in Zhang Shigui's hand is said to be the same weapon used by Huo Qubing back then, which is also a precious blade.

The lin shuo can penetrate the opponent's armor and has functions such as stabbing, slashing, cutting, and thrusting, making it a heavy weapon suitable for cavalry.

The two fought for twenty rounds without a clear winner.

In fact, both of them were harboring a grudge.

Xue Rengui tried to join the army twice, but was turned away by Zhang Shigui both times.

Zhang Shigui had his own reasons for not accepting Xue Rengui.

He knew Xue Rengui was a promising talent, highly skilled in martial arts.

If he were to join his own army, his four sons and sons-in-law would likely pale in comparison, as they would be completely unable to control Xue Rengui.

Therefore, Zhang Shigui refused to accept Xue Rengui, but unexpectedly they met again here today. It can be said that the two are destined to be enemies.

Zhang Shigui knew that Xue Rengui was skilled in martial arts, but he never expected that Xue Rengui's skills were this powerful, far exceeding his imagination.

Zhang Shigui was no ordinary man; he was a famous general of the Tang Dynasty.

Back then, he fought alongside Li Shimin on the battlefield, and countless enemy generals died at his hands.

Therefore, Zhang Shigui was confident in his martial arts skills.

However, he was greatly surprised to encounter Xue Rengui today.

Xue Rengui was young but strong, with the strength of a thousand pounds in his arms. Moreover, his halberd had reached a state of perfection.

After twenty rounds, Zhang Shigui was so exhausted that his armor was loose and he was drenched in sweat.

Zhang Shigui realized things were going badly; he had met a tough opponent today, and if the fighting continued like this, he would definitely suffer losses.

At this moment, he couldn't care less about anything else. He shouted at his four sons, Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao, as well as his son-in-law, He Zongxian: "What are you all standing there for?"

Why aren't you coming over to help?

Do you want to see your father beheaded by Xue Rengui?

The five men rode over, brandishing their spears, to join the battle.

Xue Rengui fought against six opponents single-handedly without showing any fear.

Li Chengan, upon seeing this, also felt worried for Xue Rengui.

Li Chengqian was so anxious that he was about to go on stage, but Old Cheng stopped him: "Your Highness, you can't go."

"Why?" Li Chenggan turned around and asked.

"Think about it, so many of us have died or been injured, all for the purpose of protecting you. If you go there and get caught by them, then all those people will have died for nothing."

"So you can't go over there." Old Cheng gripped Li Chengqian's arm tightly, refusing to let go.

After listening, Li Chengan felt that what Lao Cheng said made sense: "But Rengui is in danger."

"Oh, Your Highness, don't worry, I don't think Xue Rengui will be in any trouble."

At this point, the situation on the field had changed.

"Ouch, ouch!"

With a series of screams, Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, Zhang Zhibao, and He Zongxian were all killed by Xue Rengui.

Xue Rengui was relatively polite to them; he didn't kill them, only stabbing them in the thighs and shoulders, and not too deeply.

Because Zhang Shigui had once told him that his family members were all in someone else's hands.

Zhang Shigui looked down and thought to himself, "You guys are really useless. Five of you can't even beat one of them."

Seeing that Xue Rengui was too powerful, Chang He and Gongsun Wuda also spurred their horses to come and help him in the battle.

In this way, the three great generals Zhang Shigui, Chang He, and Gongsun Wuda were fighting against Xue Rengui alone.

Zhang Shigui, Chang He, and Gongsun Wuda moved around like a revolving lantern, trapping Xue Rengui in the middle.

Xue Rengui rallied his spirits and single-handedly fought against three renowned generals, holding his own against them.

Li Chengan read it and secretly praised him, thinking to himself that Xue Rengui's martial arts skills and courage were unmatched in the entire Tang Dynasty.

However, such rare talents...

Zhang Shigui actually forbade him from joining the army.

Zhang Shigui's actions of blocking virtuous officials for the sake of the country are truly outrageous.

At this moment, the soldiers under Zhang Shigui and Chang He were also dumbfounded, because in their minds, Zhang Shigui and Chang He were god-like figures with almost no rivals.

It's truly astonishing that the combined might of these three renowned generals couldn't defeat the relatively unknown Xue Rengui.

Li Chengan was worried that Xue Rengui might be in danger, so he rushed forward to help him.

Xue Rengui shouted, "Your Highness, you should leave quickly! We'll hold them off here!"

Li Chengqian absolutely refused to leave.

Suddenly, he felt a heavy blow to the back of his head. It turned out that Cheng Yaojin had punched him and knocked him unconscious.

Cheng Tieniu was also bewildered and asked, "Father, why are you also hitting the Crown Prince?"

Cheng Yaojin said to Cheng Tieniu, "The Crown Prince is a man of great loyalty and righteousness. Under these circumstances, it is impossible for him to abandon Xue Rengui alone."

That would delay important matters.

"The situation is urgent. You must quickly carry the prince away through the secret passage."

So Cheng Tieniu carried Li Chengan on his back to Qin Qiong's study, where Qin Huaiyu opened the entrance to the tunnel.

Old Cheng looked down and said, "Second Brother, you designed this tunnel quite well. I didn't even know when it was dug."

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong sighed: "During our military campaigns, I also learned some esoteric arts, such as digging tunnels, which is the simplest of them."

The battle was over, and I returned to Chang'an, but I felt even more uneasy.

I always felt that it wouldn't be long before the imperial court sent troops to arrest us, especially after Luo Yi died.

So I thought, we absolutely need an escape route.

"You dug this tunnel so well. Dig another one for me sometime. If anything happens, I'll run away with you."

Qin Qiong thought to himself, "At this point, how can I be in the mood for joking with you?"

In fact, Qin Qiong's feelings were also very complicated, because the thing he was most worried about had finally happened.

Now that Li Chenggan and Li Shimin have fallen out, for reasons unknown, Li Shimin has actually issued an edict to execute Li Chenggan.

It seems that Li Shimin is serious this time.

How should Qin Qiong deal with this?

Can he hand Li Chenggan over?

You can't do that.

Besides, even if he agreed, Cheng Yaojin wouldn't.

However, if he didn't do that, his household servants had already clashed with the soldiers brought by Zhang Shigui, and both sides suffered casualties.

What should we do?

Qin Ying was injured and was resting in her room.

At that moment, he heard the commotion outside and quickly went to the study.

He asked, "Grandpa, Grandpa Cheng, what exactly happened?"

Old Cheng then recounted what had happened.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ying jumped up and cursed, "The Emperor is a truly incompetent ruler! He actually wants to kill the Crown Prince! We won't stand for this! We'll rebel!"

This startled Qin Qiong.

He quickly said, "Qin Ying, shut your mouth! How can you say such things?"

"What kind of emperor is this?"

"Why kill the crown prince?"

It must be Fang Xuanling and his gang speaking ill of the Crown Prince to the Emperor again. This Crown Prince is far too blindly loyal and filial.

If it were me, I would have rebelled long ago!

"Stop talking! If this gets to the Emperor's ears, it's a crime punishable by the extermination of the entire family."

"I'm not afraid of him at all."

Qin Ying insisted on escorting Li Chengan away from here, and Qin Qiong couldn't stop her.

So, Qin Ying, carrying a torch, and Cheng Tieniu, carrying Li Chenggan on his back, walked forward through the tunnel.

They wandered around, and suddenly, someone almost bumped into Qin Ying.

"Tie Niu, Qin Ying, what brings you here?"

Qin Ying looked closely by the light of the torch and saw that the person walking towards him was none other than Luo Cheng.

Qin Ying quickly prostrated herself on the ground and kowtowed: "Grandpa Luo, why are you still here? Didn't you already leave Chang'an?"

Luo Cheng helped Qin Ying up from the ground: "I escaped from your grandfather's study, but I was worried something might have happened to your family."

So I have to go back and check.

Why did you all come down here too?

Qin Ying then recounted the whole story.

Luo Cheng sighed deeply after hearing this.

I never expected so many things to happen tonight.

"You all quickly protect the Crown Prince and leave first; I'll go back and check on things."

"Okay, Grandpa Luo, be careful."

At this moment, outside the gate of the Duke of Yi's mansion, Xue Rengui was fighting Zhang Shigui, Chang He, and Gongsun Wuda alone, and the battle was still fierce and evenly matched.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin stood at the gate of the mansion to observe the enemy's strategy and formation for Xue Rengui.

Old Cheng brandished his axe: "I have to go up and lend Xue Rengui a hand."

Qin Qiong quickly stopped him: "You just took an arrow to the leg, how can you still go to the battlefield?"

"If I don't go to the battlefield, will you go help Xue Rengui?"

Qin Qiong looked troubled upon hearing this, because he knew that if he were to fight Zhang Shigui and Chang He at this moment, it would be tantamount to going against the imperial court.

If Li Shimin were to use this to punish me in the future, I would be unable to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River.

Qin Qiong did not covet fame and fortune; he only wished for his family to be safe and sound. However, sometimes, there is no escaping what one desires.

Just then, a person suddenly appeared in front of them and said, "Cousin, Fourth Brother, I'm back."

Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong saw that the person who came was Luo Cheng.

Qin Qiong's head was buzzing. He thought to himself, "Luo Cheng, you left, so why are you back?"

Your presence here exposes all my lies, doesn't it?

"Didn't you already leave? Why are you back?"

"I'm afraid something might happen to your household."

Old Cheng grabbed Luo Cheng's hand: "Gongran, you've come back just in time."

Your foolish brother was just about to congratulate you.

"Congratulations? What is there to congratulate me on?"

"I have just petitioned the Emperor to restore your title of Duke of Yue."

Old Cheng continued, "Moreover, all the soldiers under your command have been reinstated."

"The Emperor agreed?" Luo Cheng was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, if you don't believe me, you can take a look at the imperial edict." As Old Cheng said this, he handed Luo Cheng the imperial edict that Li Shimin had written to him.

Luo Cheng examined it carefully, and the imperial edict was indeed as Old Cheng had said.

Luo Cheng immediately understood: "Fourth Brother, did you speak well of me to the Emperor?"

"Some people think I'm a traitor to the imperial court."

Old Cheng laughed heartily: "I merely used a little trick, and the Emperor had no choice but to comply."

Luo Cheng also agreed with this point.

Although Cheng Yaojin was a rough man, he was very resourceful.

"Thank you, Fourth Brother!"

Old Cheng waved his hand: "No problem, no problem! We're brothers, we're like brothers!"

However, I, Lao Cheng, have long disliked Zhang Shigui. You take care of him for me.

Luo Cheng smiled: "How do you want me to deal with him?"

"Dismember him into eight pieces, set him on fire, or tear him apart by five horses—anything goes!"

At this time, Xue Rengui and Zhang Shigui, Chang He and Gongsun Wuda were still fighting.

Luo Cheng roared, "Luo Cheng is here! Why aren't you stopping?"

Who doesn't know the name Luo Cheng?

It was like a bolt from the blue; the four of them were immediately separated.

Zhang Shigui, Chang He, and Gongsun Wuda were panting heavily, sweating profusely, and felt like they were about to collapse.

Of course, Xue Rengui was also exhausted.

Luo Cheng, wielding the Five-Hook Divine Flying Silver Spear, was awe-inspiring and exuded heroic spirit!

Luo Cheng's face was ashen. He asked Chang He and Gongsun Wuda, "Didn't you want to arrest Luo Cheng? Luo Cheng is right here. Come and arrest him!"

Chang He and Gongsun Wuda discussed it. The reason they had arrested Luo Cheng before was because Luo Cheng was a traitor to the imperial court.

However, the emperor has now pardoned him and restored his official position. He is now the legitimate Duke of Yue, and he has an army under his command. How could he have been arrested?

Chang He's smile was unnatural: "It was just a misunderstanding, you don't need to take it to heart."

"A misunderstanding? Dozens of servants in the Duke of Yi's mansion have been killed or injured. You think you can just call it a misunderstanding?"

Zhang Shigui urged his horse forward and explained, "Duke of Yue, you may not be aware of the situation. It's not that we want to make things difficult for Qin Qiong."

Instead, the Emperor ordered me to come and kill Li Chenggan.

The Duke of Yi and the Duke of Lu, however, protected Li Chengqian, obstructing official business.

Luo Cheng, upon hearing this, was also puzzled: "Are you sure you mean it?"

"If you do not believe, the imperial edict is here."

Zhang Shigui ordered someone to deliver the imperial edict for the arrest of Li Chengqian to Luo Cheng.

Luo Cheng looked at it and saw that it was indeed written like that.

"Is it because His Majesty is drunk today, on the Lantern Festival, that he issued such an edict in a moment of confusion?"

"His Majesty is a wise and enlightened ruler, very clear-headed."

Even so, the Emperor was in a fit of anger, and the decree he issued was not valid.

then,

There were also misunderstandings between Emperor Wu of Han and Crown Prince Liu Ju.

Ultimately, the witchcraft scandal erupted, and the two sides engaged in a fierce battle within the city of Chang'an.

As a result, Liu Ju was defeated and committed suicide.

Later, Emperor Wu of Han realized his mistake and was filled with remorse. He built the Terrace of Longing for His Son to express his longing and regret.

I believe Li Chenggan is a very competent crown prince. He himself has not done anything wrong. It is probably due to the instigation of villains in front of the emperor that the emperor made such a wrong decision. I believe that it will not be long before the emperor will realize his mistake.

So you don't need to take it seriously.

Zhang Shigui sneered: "We know that your Five-Hook Divine Flying Silver Spear is invincible, but how can the Emperor's decree be treated as a child's play?"

You'd better get out of the way and not obstruct official business.

Luo Cheng slammed his Five-Hook Divine Flying Silver Spear into the ground: "Zhang Shigui, if I, Luo, don't get out of the way today, what will I say then?"

To say that Zhang Shigui was not afraid of Luo Cheng at all would be a lie.

Luo Cheng's martial arts skills are evident to all.

Back then, among the forty-six friends of Jialiu Tower, Luo Cheng was the most skilled in martial arts.

Qin Qiong was so skilled, yet he was still far inferior to Luo Cheng.

Seeing Luo Cheng's sharp eyebrows and wide-open eyes, Zhang Zhilong was so frightened that he vomited up his gallbladder.

He Zongxian was also somewhat afraid, so he whispered in Zhang Shigui's ear, "Father-in-law, I think we should stop while we're ahead. One Xue Rengui is enough of a headache for us, and now we have another Luo Cheng to deal with."

If a real fight breaks out, could we possibly be a match for them?

Besides, Luo Cheng is the Duke of Yue, a man of great stature, and he has his own army. We probably won't gain any advantage.

Anyway, we have something to say to the Emperor.

Chang He also knew that Luo Cheng was too powerful, a fierce tiger, and dared not provoke him. Moreover, Luo Cheng had a fiery temper and was not afraid of powerful people.

If he says he wants to kill you, he will kill you; he doesn't care about anything else.

After discussing it, Chang He and Zhang Shigui decided to withdraw their troops.

Zhang Shigui then planned to leave.

Unexpectedly, Luo Cheng shouted, "Zhang Shigui, are you just leaving like this?"

Zhang Shigui tightened the horse's reins and asked, "Duke of Yue, is there anything else you require?"

"Was it you who just ordered your soldiers to draw their bows and fire arrows, wounding the servants of the Duke of Yi's mansion?"

Some were seriously injured, some were already dead. Are we just going to let it go like this?

I think it would be more appropriate to take your four sons as payment.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shigui's face turned green. He thought to himself, "My four sons are all my precious treasures. How can I exchange them for the lives of these servants?"

Zhang Shigui chuckled and said, "Duke of Yue, you really know how to joke."

That's right, I was the one who ordered the arrows to be fired just now, because they were preventing us from going in to capture Li Chenggan.

The Emperor has decreed that anyone who obstructs this matter shall be executed without exception.

So, this isn't my fault.

"How about this: I'll cover all the medical and funeral expenses. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin puffed out his belly, saying, "Zhang Shigui, do you think you can do whatever you want just because you have a few stinking coins?"

Let me tell you, not a chance.

Do as my brother says, and take your four sons in exchange for their lives.

"Come here, all of you, come here! Let me, Old Cheng, chop your heads off one by one with my axe!"

The four brothers, Zhang Zhilong, Zhang Zhihu, Zhang Zhibiao, and Zhang Zhibao, were taken aback by Lao Cheng's words and looked at each other in disbelief.